Advice Required
 

Hi, I am currently 16 and doing GCSES and will stop at nothing to become an airline pilot. It is my dream and something that I am completely sure of. MY parents are willing to pay, but I don't want to put this on them, especially since they are so near to retiring. Does anyone have any tips about what I can do between now and my A-Levels to help me secure a place?

Do some flying. Save money yourself and get some lessons. Hang around a GA airfield, talk to pilots. Do science and maths. Be a kind, empathetic and outgoing person.

First and foremost, do a trial flying less, if you like the school or instructor, sign up for more. Don't rush things and take the process seriously, learn and digest everything, it's not a race to qualification. It is better to take longer to get your license and develop your skills than to rush it and be inexperienced when certain situations arise.

The only thing you can't choose is your parents. They determine your genetics and your passport. Get yourself a class one medical to be sure there isn't anything underlying or undiagnosed that might stop you pursuing your dream. There's no point in telling you to study hard etc.. Between GCSEs and A Levels don't fall into the trap of thinking you need to go to university - you don't. You can get a degree any time in life.

I have thought about applying to university, as that seems to improve your chances of getting selected within the scheme, but if I do a degree, I am still in debt and studying for 32 to 4 extra years in something I do not want to, all for the chance of fully-funded.

I have also already taken a trial flight with the Air Cadets, I loved every bit of it.

Is there anything I can do to stand-out compared to everyone else, since I would be fresh out of school with just GCSES and A-Levels. I am already trying to get aviation related work experiences (they are far and few between and plan to work part time this summer, as a lifeguard if vacancies permit)

Mannan,

Another thing you might do while you're progressing toward the starting point of actually flying is, if you haven't done it already, to get some free online books about the nuts and bolts of flying and airplanes. Casually read them to see if the material actually piques your interest.

Good luck with your plans.

Thank you, I am currently reading Skyfaring: Journey with a pilot, but I will make sure to take a further look to see what is available. :)

"The Scheme"..."Secure a place"... these sound like someone hoping for a sponsored scheme. If you really want to be a pilot, there's nothing medically wrong with you, and you're capable - then you will be a pilot. But reality check time: Sponsored schemes do exist but you have a less than 1% chance of getting on one. People luckier than you, richer than you, stupider than you, more diverse than you and less deserving than you will get places. You need to hope for the best and plan for the worst. If you aren't prepared to forgo University, beer, cars and girls for three years while you work 3 jobs and live with your parents to make it happen - do you really want it enough?

Pilot Careers Live
 

Hi, I wouldn't spend £1k on a medical until get the offer of a job or training course. Go to Pilot Careers Live at Heathrow in April, talk to all the airlines that offer free training and training schools. Good Luck

Good advice for someone who thinks they should get a free ride or alternatively just give up, however the OP "will stop at nothing" to become a pilot. A medical is mandatory no matter what. There is a 99% chance that the offer of a job will never come and the OP will need to make things happen by themselves.

Have a look at gliding. Your nearest club https://esgc.co.uk/ offers a Junior scheme, making it affordable. Also there's plenty of other people your age who do gliding so can make likeminded freiends. Also worth looking at scholarships and bursaries which are well worth applying for https://airleague.co.uk/our-programm...-and-bursaries & https://www.airpilots.org/scholarshi...-scholarships/. BA has openly admitted that doing Gliding is a big tick box on your CV and will only help you. As others have also said, go to PCL at London Heathrow and get a Class 1 medical done when you can before spending any money. Good luck!

Mannan,

I'm not familiar with Skyfaring so I don't know if it's a technical publication. I was thinking more of something like this (or its EU equivalent):

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_poli.../aviation/phak

I have always considered Ridestuff’s unwavering first suggestion - to go get a Class One medical, to be absolutely top advice for anyone who dreams to be a commercial pilot. Yes it’s expensive, but it does two things for you. Firstly; if you can’t get a Class One, that’s it - dream over. You’d better stop wasting time on it, and get stuck into considering what other career you’re going to work towards. You could be super fit, but have undiagnosed colour vision and you’d be screwed (for example). Secondly, if you’re interested in a sponsored scheme, the possession of a Class One is probably the cheapest thing you can do to demonstrate that you are serious about wanting the career, and that you are not just applying on a whim, on the off chance that you get selected.

Couldnt’t disagree more I’m afraid. You want to be a pilot? You need a medical. Get it done. I appreciate I’ve just repeated what’s been said above, but OP please take this as another vote for just getting on with the class 1.

... plus you should be wary of who you take advice from, generally people with single figure post numbers are here to ask the questions

I definitely agree with getting a Class 1. It is expensive but far cheaper than enrolling in classes etc and then finding out you have a disqualifying condition. (I saw it happen).
If the price puts a prospective pilot off, then wait until you see the price of an instrument rating or type rating... And try to keep them current!
A candidate can look up the requirements for the class 1 online (go to official sites only) and then ask your doctor, optician and audiologist how your numbers compare.

As for the degree thing? They are expensive (although free in some countries) and in reality, unless you have experience in the field, then a degree can be more of a hindrance. Parents like them but unless it's a Masters or higher, generally no one cares. You can do what I did and get a couple while working.

Good luck.

Here's another vote for get your Class 1.

The son of a friend of mine is in similar position to Mannan & he is having some difficulty in getting through his Class 1 due to some medication for a couple of minor issues. The doctors/specialists expect everything to be okay eventually (at least off the medication for x weeks) but in the meantime his PPL training is on hold. Sometimes it is the medication & not the underlying condition that prevents a Class 1 issue.